JP2009525234A - Package for container - Google Patents

Abstract

Package for holding multiple containers. The package has a panel that extends at least partially around the interior of the package. The panel includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel. At least one bottom opening in the bottom panel is for at least partially receiving one of the plurality of containers. At least one intermediate opening is in the intermediate panel for at least partially receiving the container. At least one retaining flap is foldably attached to the intermediate panel adjacent to the at least one intermediate opening. The at least one retention flap is for providing the container with a retention force that prevents removal of the container from the package.

Description

Description of related application

This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 763,654, filed Jan. 31, 2006. The entire contents of the provisional patent application mentioned above are loosened by reference here.

The present invention generally relates to a package or carton for holding and displaying a container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a package having one or more retaining flaps that engage the container and at least partially inhibit movement of the container held by the package.

Packages or cartons for engaging the top of the container are known. The container is typically inserted through the opening in the bottom panel of the package and secured by engaging the radial protrusions of the container. One such package is disclosed in Bakx US Pat. No. 6,223,891. However, existing packages do not sufficiently support the container, are difficult to stand upright, and / or occupy substrate area is too large, resulting in higher manufacturing costs. Thus, a need exists for an improved package for holding and displaying containers.

In general, one aspect of the invention relates to a package for holding a plurality of containers. The package includes a panel that extends at least partially around the interior of the package. The panel includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel. At least one bottom opening in the bottom panel is for at least partially receiving one of the plurality of containers. At least one intermediate opening is in the intermediate panel and is for at least partially receiving the container. At least one retaining flap
Foldably attached to the intermediate panel adjacent to the at least one intermediate opening. The holding flap is for providing the container with a holding force that suppresses removal of the container from the package.

In another aspect, the present invention generally relates to a blank for forming a package for holding a plurality of containers. The blank includes a panel including a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel. At least one bottom opening is in the bottom panel;
At least one intermediate opening is in the intermediate panel. At least one retaining flap
It is attached to the intermediate panel so that it can be bent. The retaining flap is adjacent to the intermediate opening and at least partially defines the intermediate opening.

In another aspect, the present invention generally relates to a method of forming a package for containing a plurality of containers. The method includes a top panel, a bottom panel having at least one bottom panel opening, at least one intermediate panel opening and at least one retaining flap foldably attached to the intermediate panel adjacent to the at least one intermediate opening. Providing a blank having an intermediate panel having a first side panel and a second side panel. The method attaches the intermediate panel to at least one of the first and second side panels such that the intermediate panel is spaced from the bottom panel and the intermediate opening and the bottom opening are substantially aligned to receive the container. Thereby forming a sleeve.

In another aspect, the present invention generally relates to a package for holding a plurality of containers.
The package includes a panel that extends at least partially around the interior of the package.
The panel includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel. At least 1
One bottom opening is in the bottom panel and is for at least partially receiving one of the plurality of containers. At least one intermediate opening is in the intermediate panel and is for at least partially receiving the container. At least one retaining flap is foldably attached to the intermediate panel.

In another aspect, the present invention generally relates to a blank for forming a package for holding a plurality of containers. The blank comprises a panel comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel. At least one bottom opening is in the bottom panel and at least one intermediate opening is in the intermediate panel. At least one retaining flap is foldably attached to the intermediate panel.

In another aspect, the present invention generally relates to a method of forming a package for containing a plurality of containers. The method includes a top panel, a bottom panel having at least one bottom panel opening, an intermediate panel having at least one intermediate panel opening and at least one retaining flap foldably attached to the intermediate panel; Providing a blank having a side panel and a second side panel.
The method further comprises forming a sleeve by attaching the intermediate panel to at least one of the first and second side panels such that the intermediate panel is spaced from the bottom panel.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above and other advantages, as well as the advantages of various additional embodiments, by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings listed below. .

In accordance with common practice, the various features of the drawings described below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Various features and element dimensions of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Corresponding elements are designated by corresponding reference numerals in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates generally to structures, sleeves, cartons, etc. and packages for holding and displaying containers such as bottles, bottles, cans and the like. The container can be used, for example, for packaging food and beverage products. The container can be made from a material suitable for a configuration for packaging a specific food or beverage article, and the material includes PET, LDPE,
Including but not limited to aluminum and / or other metals, glass, or any combination thereof, such as plastics such as LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and nylon.

The package according to the invention can wrap many different shaped containers. For purposes of explanation and not for purposes of limiting the scope of the invention, the following detailed description describes a food container (eg, a plastic container) that is at least partially disposed within an embodiment of the package. . In this specification, “lower”, “bottom”, “upper” and “top”
The term refers to the arrangement determined for a fully assembled package.

This embodiment is attached to a container and corresponds to a carton or package for adaptation to the container. The package or carrier 150 is shown in the assembled state of FIGS. 5 and 6 and is shown here attached to the container C. In the illustrated embodiment, the container C is generally shown as a personal beverage container having an upper portion with a flange portion F and an upper neck N, but other containers can be packaged 150 without departing from the present invention. Can be held in.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the outer side 3 of a blank 8 used to form a package or carrier 150. The blank 8 is foldably connected to the first adhesive panel 20 at the first transverse fold line 21 and foldably connected to the first adhesive panel 20 at the second transverse fold line 31. Top panel 30 and third transverse fold line 4
1, a first side panel 40 foldably connected to the top panel 30, a bottom panel 50 foldably connected to the first side panel 40 at a fourth transverse fold line 51, and a fifth transverse And a second side panel 60 foldably connected to the bottom panel 50 at a fold line 61. The second connection panel 70 can be foldably connected to the intermediate panel 10 at a sixth transverse fold line 71.

To facilitate folding along the fold line, each transverse fold line 21, 31, 41, 51,
61 and 71 may include one or more cuts. In the embodiment of the blank shown in FIG. 1, the transverse fold lines 21, 51, 61, 71 are cuts / fold lines in which the cuts are fold lines and facilitate folding of the blank 8. Any number of cuts can be formed in any fold line, the number and length of the cuts depending on, for example, the standard and / or stiffness of the material used to form the blank 8 You can choose. Fold lines 21, 51,
61 and 71 can be formed by other methods (for example, unfolded fold lines) without departing from the present invention.

The intermediate panel 10 includes a plurality of intermediate openings 100. Each intermediate opening 100 is shaped and sized to receive an upper flange portion F of a container C (FIG. 5) that is at least partially packaged within a package 150. The intermediate panel 10 includes four groups of retaining flaps 112, each group being orthogonal (eg, either the vertical or horizontal axis) fold line 10.
6 includes four retaining flaps foldably connected to the intermediate panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral fold lines 106 extending in the lateral axis direction L2 are the lateral fold lines 21, 7
1 part. Retaining flap 112 is generally further defined by a T-shaped slit or cut 104 between adjacent ends of the retaining flap. The incision 104 extends generally between adjacent ends of the fold line 106 perpendicular to the first slit or portion 105 and the first diagonal portion extending diagonally from the edge of the two adjacent retention flaps 112. A second slit or portion 107 is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the stretch cut 1
04 and fold line 106 define a flap 112 that is pivotable in the intermediate panel 10, but the flap may be other shapes and arrangements.

In one embodiment, the intermediate opening 100 is generally square and each side defines a respective edge of the retaining flap 112. The opening 100 does not depart from the present invention,
It is understood that other shapes and arrangements can be made. As shown in FIG. 1, each intermediate opening 100 has an initial opening distance D1, which is schematically defined as the spacing between the edges of the retaining flaps 112, and the distance between the respective folding lines 106 of the opposing retaining flaps. And a maximum opening distance D2 approximately equal to.

The bottom panel 50 includes a plurality of bottom openings 130. Each bottom opening 130 may be shaped and sized to receive the upper neck N of the container C packaged in the package 150. Each bottom opening 130 is generally laterally aligned in a blank 8 having a corresponding intermediate opening 100 in the intermediate panel. As shown in FIGS. 2-4 for the assembled package 150, first the top flange portion F of the container C inserted into the package is correspondingly spaced apart on the bottom opening and then on the bottom opening. Each bottom opening 130 is positioned in the corresponding intermediate opening 100 so as to pass through the intermediate opening.
In the illustrated embodiment, the corresponding bottom opening 130 and intermediate opening 100 are axially aligned along a vertical axis Al that passes through the center of each opening.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom panel 50 has first and second cuts 134, 136 that define laterally opposite sides of each bottom opening 130. Each first and second cut 134, 136 includes an arcuate portion 138 and two longitudinally extending termination portions 140, 142 that extend to each lateral fold line 51, 61. The bottom panel 50
Third and fourth cuts 14 defining opposing sides in the longitudinal direction of each bottom opening
6, 148. The third cut line 146 extends in the horizontal axis direction L2 and is aligned with the horizontal fold line 51. The fourth cut line 148 extends in the horizontal axis direction L2 and has a horizontal fold line 6.
1 aligned. The bottom opening 130 may have other shapes and arrangements without departing from the present invention. The first and second cuts 134, 136 are formed on the package 150.
In order to assist in holding the container in place, it is shaped and dimensioned to contact or approach the neck portion N of the container C. For example, in FIG. 1, the arcuate portion 138 of the first and second cuts 134, 136 is designed to accommodate a container C having a circular horizontal cross-sectional shape. However, containers having other circumferential profiles may be accommodated by openings having other sizes and shapes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom opening 130 has an opening distance D3 that is equal to the maximum distance between the arcuate portions 138 of cuts. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening distance D3 is also equal to the longitudinal distance between the opposing lateral cuts 146, 148, but the bottom opening 130 does not depart from the invention and other shapes and It should be understood that it may be arranged.

In one embodiment, the opening distance D3 is greater than the initial opening distance D1 of the intermediate opening and is approximately equal to the maximum opening distance D2 of the intermediate opening. In an exemplary embodiment, the initial opening distance Dl is
It may range from about 80% to about 50% of the opening distance D3, preferably less than about 75% of the opening distance D3. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance D3 is about 2 inches (51 mm);
The distance Dl is about 1 to 1/4 inch (32 mm), and the distance D2 is about 2 inches.
In the assembled package 150, the intermediate panel 10 is approximately ½ inch (13 mm).
Distance D4 (FIG. 3) may be separated from the bottom panel 50, and the package 150 is
Between the bottom panel 50 and the top panel 30, the total height H1 is about 1 to 1/2 inch (38 mm).
You may have. In various other embodiments of the present invention, these dimensions are intended to be exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting and may differ from the dimension information presented herein.

The package 150 may be assembled by folding and bonding operations in a single pass through an assembly machine such as a folder gluer (not shown). Referring to FIG. 1, in one typical method of assembly, the package 150 is placed outside the connection panel 20 (eg, the side facing in FIG. 1) or outside the adhesive panel 70 (eg, the side facing in FIG. 1). Or it can be assembled into a tubular sleeve by applying glue or other adhesive on the printing side. Thereafter, the blank 8 places the second adhesive panel 70 on the inner side of the first side panel 40 (for example, the other side in FIG. 1) and the first adhesive panel 2.
In order to connect and attach 0 to the inner side of the second side panel 60 (for example, the other side in FIG. 1), it may be bent at fold lines 21, 31, 41, 61, 71. As shown in the inverted position in FIG. 3 (eg, the top panel 30 is facing down), the intermediate panel 10 is generally spaced from the bottom panel 50 and generally parallel to the bottom panel 50. It is. When assembled, package 15 as shown in FIGS.
0 generally has a tubular shape with an open end. In the assembled package 150, the top panel 30, the intermediate panel 10, and the bottom panel 50 are arranged in a substantially parallel plane, and the first and second side panels 40, 60 extend from the top panel 30 to the bottom panel 50. Exists. Each intermediate opening 100 of the intermediate panel 10 is aligned with one of the bottom panel openings 130 of the bottom panel 30 in the vertical direction. If necessary, the package 150 can be folded into a generally flat shape for shipping. Package 150
May be assembled by alternative methods without departing from the invention.

When the package 150 is assembled, the openings 100 and 130 aligned in the vertical direction, respectively.
The container C can be loaded into the package by pushing the top flange portion F of the container through the bottom and middle panels 50, 10 respectively. In one application example,
The package 150 is pushed into the row of containers so that the containers C can be aligned in a row and a plurality of containers can be simultaneously pushed into each set of vertically aligned openings 100, 130. As shown in FIG. 5, the top flange portion F of the container C is disposed inside the package 150,
The upper neck N of the container is partially placed inside the package. If the top flange portion F of the container C is pushed through one of the intermediate openings 100 of the intermediate panel 10,
The container contacts the flap 112 and folds the flap upward along the fold line 106.
When the container is further inserted, the flap 112 is further bent upward and the intermediate opening 1
The dimension of 00 is enlarged from the initial opening distance D1. Thereafter, the flap 112 applies a holding force that engages with the lower portion or the shoulder S of the flange portion F of the container C to prevent the container from falling out of the package. The retention force due to the engagement of the flap 112 and the shoulder S of the flange portion F creates an upward biasing force that must be overcome to withdraw the container C from the package 150.

For example, the circumferential shape of the bottom panel opening 130 may be wholly or partially complementary to the cross-section of the container C in that the container C extends through the bottom panel opening. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, bottom panel opening 130 includes a curved or arcuate portion 138 that is selected to approximately correspond to the cross-sectional portion of container C. The bottom panel opening 130 may be selected to engage the container C fairly tightly. Further, the flap 112 of the intermediate panel 10 may be shaped and configured to engage fairly tightly below the shoulder portion S of the flange portion F. Thereby, the container C can be firmly held from falling off from the bottom of the package 150. Further, the interaction between the cuts 134, 136 of the bottom panel 50 forming the bottom panel opening 130 and the container C can secure the container against resistance to pivoting movement within the package 150.

The exemplary package embodiments described above contain four containers C arranged in a single row, but the invention is not limited to these numbers. As an example, additional containers can be accommodated by increasing the size of the blank 8 (eg, in the lateral direction L2 of FIG. 1) and forming additional openings therein to receive the containers. . In another alternative embodiment, increasing the size of the intermediate and bottom panels 10, 50 (eg, in the longitudinal direction L1 of FIG. 1) and adding an additional row of openings for receiving containers therein Can accommodate additional rows of containers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the package 150 has a generally round top edge or cap,
Or it is shown as containing a container C having a flange portion F and having an outer contour defined by a generally circular horizontal cross-sectional shape. However, packages of other types, sizes, and shapes can be accommodated by a package according to the principles of the present invention.

Further, the bottom panel opening 130 can be provided with an expansion and retention function as shown in the intermediate opening 100. For example, if the container housed in the carton has a flange or shoulder in the lower or middle portion of the container, a flap may be formed around the bottom panel opening 130. When the container has a plurality of flanges, holding flaps may be provided on the bottom panel and the intermediate panel.

In general, the blank may be made, for example, from paperboard having a thickness of at least about 14 so that it is heavier and stronger than normal paper. The blank can also be made from other materials, such as cardboard or any other material that has suitable characteristics that allow the carton to at least basically perform the functions described above.

The blank can be coated, for example, with a clay (clay) coating. Thereafter, products, advertisements, and other information or images may be printed on the clay coating. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect the information printed on the blank. The blank may be coated on one side or both sides of the blank with a moisture-proof layer, for example. In addition, the blank can be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials on selected panels or panel portions.

The above embodiments can be described as having one or more panels adhered by glue. The term “glue” is intended to include all forms of adhesive commonly used to secure a paperboard carton panel in place.

The term “line” as used herein includes not only straight lines, but also other types of lines, such as curved, curved or angularly displaced lines.

Depending on the exemplary embodiment, the fold line need not be a straight line, but can be a weakened straight line that facilitates folding along it. More specifically, but not intended to narrow the scope of the present invention, the fold line is a line formed with a dull scoring knife or the like that creates a crushing part or a depression in the material along the desired weakening line. A series of score lines, such as incisions partially extending into the material along the desired weakening line, and / or partially and / or completely extending into the material along the desired weakening line Including cuts and various combinations of these functions. When cuts are used to form a fold line, the cut is usually not so excessive that a sensible user mistakenly considers the fold line to be a cut line.

The foregoing description of the invention has illustrated and described various embodiments of the present invention. Since various modifications can be made to the above-described configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention, all matters contained in the above description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes. Thus, it should be construed as not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention extends to various modifications, combinations, alternatives and the like of the above-described embodiments that are within the scope of the claims. In addition, although the present disclosure illustrates and describes only selected embodiments of the present invention, the present invention can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and situations, and is described above. In accordance with the teachings and / or within the technology or knowledge of the relevant field,
Changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept can be made as indicated herein. Furthermore, certain functions and features of each embodiment may be selectively exchanged and applied to other illustrative and non-illustrated embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a plan view of a blank used to form a package, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 assembled as a package. FIG. 3 is an end view of the package as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial view of a package as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an end view of a package including a container held therein. FIG. 6 is a side view of a package including a container held therein.

Claims (36)

A package for holding a plurality of containers, the package comprising a panel extending at least partially around the interior of the package;
The panel includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel,
The package includes at least one bottom opening for at least partially receiving a container of the plurality of containers at the bottom panel and at least one intermediate opening for at least partially receiving the container at the intermediate panel. And at least one retaining flap foldably attached to the intermediate panel adjacent to the at least one intermediate opening;
The holding flap is for providing the container with a holding force that suppresses removal of the container from the package.   The package of claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining flap comprises at least two retaining flaps on opposite sides of the intermediate opening.   The package of claim 2, wherein the at least two retaining flaps comprise four retaining flaps.   The package of claim 3, wherein the intermediate opening is a generally square opening and is at least partially defined by the four retaining flaps.   The package of claim 1, wherein the retaining flap is at least partially defined by orthogonal fold lines in the intermediate panel.   The package of claim 5, wherein the retaining flap is at least partially defined by an oblique cut.   The package of claim 1, wherein the bottom opening and the intermediate opening are spaced apart and axially aligned to receive the container.   The panel further includes a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one adhesive flap that is foldably attached to the intermediate panel, and the adhesive flap includes the first and second adhesive flaps. The package according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate panel is supported by being attached to one of the side panels and spaced apart from the bottom panel.   9. The package of claim 8, wherein the at least one adhesive flap comprises first and second adhesive flaps that are adhesively attached to the first and second side panels, respectively.   The package of claim 1, wherein the bottom opening has an opening distance, the intermediate opening has an initial opening distance, and the initial opening distance is shorter than the opening distance of the bottom opening.   The package of claim 10, wherein the initial opening distance is less than about 75% of the opening distance of the bottom opening.   The package of claim 10, wherein the intermediate opening has a maximum opening distance approximately equal to the opening distance of the bottom opening.   The package of claim 1, wherein the at least one bottom opening comprises a plurality of bottom openings and the at least one intermediate opening comprises a plurality of intermediate openings.   14. The package of claim 13 in combination with a plurality of containers, wherein the plurality of containers comprise bottles, each of the bottles being one of the plurality of bottom openings and the plurality of intermediate openings. A package having an upper portion at least partially received by one of the two. A blank for forming a package holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:
A panel comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel;
At least one bottom opening in the bottom panel;
At least one intermediate opening in the intermediate panel;
At least one retaining flap foldably attached to the intermediate panel;
The retaining flap is adjacent to the intermediate opening and at least partially defines the intermediate opening.   The blank of claim 15, wherein the at least one retention flap provides retention force to a container received in the package formed from the carton.   The blank of claim 15, wherein the at least one retaining flap comprises at least two retaining flaps on opposite sides of the intermediate opening.   The blank of claim 17, wherein the at least two retaining flaps comprise four retaining flaps.   The blank of claim 18, wherein the intermediate opening is a generally square opening and is at least partially defined by the four retaining flaps.   The blank of claim 15, wherein the retaining flap is at least partially defined by orthogonal fold lines in the intermediate panel.   21. A blank according to claim 20, wherein the retaining flap is at least partially defined by at least one oblique cut.   The blank of claim 15, wherein the bottom opening and the intermediate opening are aligned laterally.   The panel further comprises a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one adhesive flap foldably attached to the intermediate panel, the adhesive flap being formed from the blank 16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the blank is for attachment to one of the first and second side panels to support the intermediate panel at a location spaced from the bottom panel of the package.   24. The at least one adhesive flap comprises first and second adhesive flaps for adhesively attaching to the first and second side panels of the package formed from the blank, respectively. Blank of description.   The blank according to claim 15, wherein the bottom opening has an opening distance, the intermediate opening has an initial opening distance, and the initial opening distance is shorter than the opening distance of the bottom opening.   26. The blank of claim 25, wherein the initial opening distance is less than about 75% of the opening distance of the bottom opening.   26. The blank of claim 25, wherein the intermediate opening has a maximum opening distance that is approximately equal to the opening distance of the bottom opening.   The blank of claim 15, wherein the at least one bottom opening comprises a plurality of bottom openings and the at least one intermediate opening comprises a plurality of intermediate openings. A method of forming a package for containing a plurality of containers, the method comprising:
A middle having a top panel, a bottom panel having at least one bottom panel opening, and at least one intermediate panel opening and at least one retaining flap foldably attached to the intermediate panel adjacent to the at least one middle opening. Providing a blank having a panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;
The intermediate panel is disposed on at least one of the first and second side panels such that the intermediate panel is spaced from the bottom panel and the intermediate opening and the bottom opening are aligned to receive a container. Forming a sleeve by attaching; and
A method comprising:   The blank comprises at least one adhesive flap foldably attached to the intermediate panel, and the step of attaching to the intermediate panel comprises bending the at least one adhesive flap to 30. The method of claim 29, comprising attaching the adhesive flap to at least one of them.   30. The method of claim 29, further comprising at least partially inserting at least one container into the bottom opening and the intermediate opening and retaining the top of the container in the package.   32. The method of claim 31, wherein the upper portion of the container contacts the at least one retaining flap and folds the retaining flap upward relative to the intermediate panel.   The upper portion of the container has a shoulder, and by further inserting the container into the sleeve, the at least one retaining flap engages the shoulder and at least partially pulls the container from the package. 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the method is automatically inhibited. A package for holding a plurality of containers,
A panel extending at least partially around the interior of the package, the panel comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel, the package comprising one of the plurality of containers; At least one bottom opening for at least partially receiving the bottom panel; at least one intermediate opening for at least partially receiving the container at the intermediate panel; and at least one foldably attached to the intermediate panel. A package comprising two retaining flaps. A blank for forming a package holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:
A panel comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel;
At least one bottom opening in the bottom panel;
At least one intermediate opening in the intermediate panel;
And at least one retaining flap foldably attached to the intermediate panel. A method of forming a package for housing a plurality of containers, the method comprising:
A top panel; a bottom panel having at least one bottom panel opening; an intermediate panel having at least one intermediate panel opening and at least one retaining flap foldably attached to the intermediate panel; a first side panel; Providing a blank having two side panels;
Forming a sleeve by attaching the intermediate panel to at least one of the first and second side panels such that the intermediate panel is spaced from the bottom panel;
A method comprising:

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